President Obama on Saturday promised to fight a Supreme Court decision easing limits on political donations by corporations and unions, saying he couldn't "think of anything more devastating to the public interest."

In its 5-4 decision this week, the high court overturned two decisions and threw out parts of a 63-year-old law that said companies and unions can be prohibited from using their own money to produce and run campaign ads that urge the election or defeat of particular candidates by name.

The case involved a film by conservative group Citizens United, which criticized then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic presidential primary campaign.

Supporters called the decision a big win for free speech.

But in his weekly radio and Internet message Obama said it was unacceptable.

"This ruling opens the floodgates for an unlimited amount of special interest money into our democracy," the president said. "It gives the special interest lobbyists new leverage to spend millions on advertising to persuade elected officials to vote their way -- or to punish those who don't."

Obama said that means public servants who stand up to Wall Street banks, oil companies, health insurers and other powerful interests could find themselves under attack when election time rolls around.

"The last thing we need to do is hand more influence to the lobbyists in Washington or more power to the special interests to tip the outcome of elections," he said.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell disagreed, calling the ruling a "monumental decision" that restores First Amendment rights to those who want to "express themselves about political candidates."

"Our democracy depends upon free speech, not just for some but for all," he said in a statement.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, National Rifle Association and other groups also sided with Citizens United in calling for a loosening of restrictions.

"This is a victory for Citizens United, but even more so for the First Amendment rights of all Americans," said Citizens United President David Bossie. "The fault line on this issue does not split liberals and conservatives or Republicans and Democrats. Instead, it pits entrenched establishment politicians against the very people whom they are elected to serve."

The court issued its ruling just as crucial midterm election campaigns are getting under way and as Obama's Democratic Party feels the pressure from a string of losses in New Jersey, Virginia and in Massachusetts, where this week Republican Scott Brown came from behind to win a Senate seat Democrats had held for decades.

Obama said the decision will make it harder to enact financial reforms, close tax loopholes, promote energy independence and protect patients from insurance company abuses -- key elements of his domestic agenda.
"We don't need to give any more voice to the powerful interests that already drown out the voices of everyday Americans," he said. "And we don't intend to."

He said he has instructed his administration to work with Congress to "fight for the American people" and develop a "forceful bipartisan response" to the decision.

"It will be a priority for us until we repair the damage that has been done," Obama said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/23/obama-vows-fight-supreme-court-campaign-finance-decision/

Saul Good

01-23-2010, 10:30 AM

Obama's like the feather in Forrest Gump. He's just floating around aimlessly. I'm starting to break into a flop sweat just watching the guy. It's like watching a stand-up comedian bomb.

HonestChieffan

01-23-2010, 11:18 AM

I wonder, will he ever pick a fight he can win?

He ran a flawless campaign. Where did those advisors go?

Chief Henry

01-23-2010, 11:31 AM

I wonder, will he ever pick a fight he can win?

He ran a flawless campaign. Where did those advisors go?

They're finding out that actual leadership takes alot more work and skill than
it does to be a lawyer for acorn. They're finding out that the American people don't want socialism to replace capitalism.

RINGLEADER

01-23-2010, 02:20 PM

President Obama on Saturday promised to fight a Supreme Court decision easing limits on political donations by corporations and unions, saying he couldn't "think of anything more devastating to the public interest."

Have you noticed how easy it is to take pretty much any Obama speech and inter-change his use of the word "public" with the word "mine" and how it makes his statements much more accurate, at least in terms of what he really is meaning?

"This ruling opens the floodgates for an unlimited amount of special interest money into our democracy," the president said. "It gives the special interest lobbyists new leverage to spend millions on advertising to persuade elected officials to vote their way -- or to punish those who don't."

And why are corporate special interests any different than union special interests? Oh yeah, I forgot, the unions support Obama and his cronies in Congress and corporate special interests oppose them.

BucEyedPea

01-23-2010, 03:04 PM

The SC decision is supposed to be a check on the power of the other branches of govt if they violated the "chains of the Constitution." He thinks he can actually override this with a new long and not see it struck down again?

Guru

01-23-2010, 03:39 PM

Considering unions are just as bad as putting crap on the air, I don't really see the problem. I don't pay any attention to the ads anyway.

wild1

01-23-2010, 03:45 PM

It's going to be funny to watch these guys have to pay the tab for years of having their boot on the throat of business

The Mad Crapper

01-23-2010, 06:43 PM

The man is a delusional maniac. He really is.

trndobrd

01-23-2010, 09:28 PM

Have you noticed how easy it is to take pretty much any Obama speech and inter-change his use of the word "public" with the word "mine" and how it makes his statements much more accurate, at least in terms of what he really is meaning?

It makes sense. We are the ones we've been waiting for.

ClevelandBronco

01-23-2010, 11:00 PM

"Mr. Marshall has made his ruling; now let him enforce it."

It just sounded so much better when Andrew Jackson said it.

fan4ever

01-23-2010, 11:01 PM

What a crusader!

Is there anything he can't do?

I mean besides creating jobs and stuff like that. He picks his battles so well.

Jenson71

01-23-2010, 11:10 PM

What a crusader!

Is there anything he can't do?

This is the first time the Executive has ever challenged the Judicial branch. History in the making, folks.

BucEyedPea

01-23-2010, 11:26 PM

This is the first time the Executive has ever challenged the Judicial branch. History in the making, folks.

No it's called TRAMPLING the Constitution in the making folks. It's his version of FDR packing the courts. The dictator at work.

Jenson71

01-23-2010, 11:52 PM

No it's called TRAMPLING the Constitution in the making folks. It's his version of FDR packing the courts. The dictator at work.

Your flair for hyperbole is unmatched BY ANYONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD FOREVER.

fan4ever

01-24-2010, 07:44 AM

This is the first time the Executive has ever challenged the Judicial branch. History in the making, folks.

Making history is always a good thing, right?

Norman Einstein

01-24-2010, 08:05 AM

This is the first time the Executive has ever challenged the Judicial branch. History in the making, folks.
Not the kind of history you want to see. This is a step towards dictatorship, Obama thinks he is in charge.

whatsmynameagain

01-24-2010, 08:41 AM

im more worried about the influence from other nations in our politics. saudi arabia, iran, china, russia, venezuala, could all put politcal ads on our airwaves and never even mention in those ads who and were the money is coming from to pay for it. is that not a little disturbing to any of you? our country is now for sale and all of you are saying this is free speech and capitalism? you have to be ignorant to think that the average american will be smart enough to recognize when we are being fucked. just go to your inbox for your email and look the the bullshit that gets passed around. people pass it on without even checking the facts. i got an email about ollie north the other day about how he said obl was trying to kill him and he needed all kinds of security. i researched it a bit and it was a libyan terrorist who had actually threatened his life, absolutley nothing to do with obl. instead of the ridiculous lies being in your email, they will be on tv and in your face 24-7.
Posted via Mobile Device

RedNeckRaider

01-24-2010, 08:59 AM

I wonder, will he ever pick a fight he can win?

He ran a flawless campaign. Where did those advisors go?

Their Bush sucks material got stale~

fan4ever

01-24-2010, 09:13 AM

im more worried about the influence from other nations in our politics. saudi arabia, iran, china, russia, venezuala, could all put politcal ads on our airwaves and never even mention in those ads who and were the money is coming from to pay for it. is that not a little disturbing to any of you? our country is now for sale and all of you are saying this is free speech and capitalism? you have to be ignorant to think that the average american will be smart enough to recognize when we are being ****ed. just go to your inbox for your email and look the the bullshit that gets passed around. people pass it on without even checking the facts. i got an email about ollie north the other day about how he said obl was trying to kill him and he needed all kinds of security. i researched it a bit and it was a libyan terrorist who had actually threatened his life, absolutley nothing to do with obl. instead of the ridiculous lies being in your email, they will be on tv and in your face 24-7.
Posted via Mobile Device

If you're worried about political influence from other nations, I'm wondering who you voted for.

whatsmynameagain

01-24-2010, 09:44 AM

If you're worried about political influence from other nations, I'm wondering who you voted for.

this is much worse than small contributions, this is putting a big fat sign on the us that says for sale. it would have been an even bigger landslide if the lies were not so rampant, obama the muslim, not born in the us, etc....
Posted via Mobile Device

mlyonsd

01-24-2010, 09:48 AM

The SC decision actually is another lucky sequence of events in Obama's first year.

With his agenda in shambles this is something, anything, he can point to as an item he can try to get people to rally behind him on. Pointing a finger at the big ole boogy man rich corporate bad guy usually plays well with his base.

This could be a blessing in disguise for him.

Norman Einstein

01-24-2010, 01:25 PM

Their Bush sucks material got stale~

And very quickly I might add.

Norman Einstein

01-24-2010, 01:26 PM

This could be a blessing in disguise for him.
Or for us if he continues his quest to have power over the SCOTUS, that will do him in very quickly IMO.

DJ's left nut

01-24-2010, 01:43 PM

The President says he's going to fight the Supreme Court.

Nah, not an imperialist President at all.

This guy makes Nixon look like an anarchist.

KCWolfman

01-24-2010, 01:43 PM

I wonder, will he ever pick a fight he can win?

He ran a flawless campaign. Where did those advisors go?

As an advisor you can only fit for the Emperor's New Clothes. When one kid finally points out you are naked, the advisor's job is over.

KCWolfman

01-24-2010, 01:46 PM

im more worried about the influence from other nations in our politics. saudi arabia, iran, china, russia, venezuala, could all put politcal ads on our airwaves and never even mention in those ads who and were the money is coming from to pay for it. is that not a little disturbing to any of you? our country is now for sale and all of you are saying this is free speech and capitalism? you have to be ignorant to think that the average american will be smart enough to recognize when we are being ****ed. just go to your inbox for your email and look the the bullshit that gets passed around. people pass it on without even checking the facts. i got an email about ollie north the other day about how he said obl was trying to kill him and he needed all kinds of security. i researched it a bit and it was a libyan terrorist who had actually threatened his life, absolutley nothing to do with obl. instead of the ridiculous lies being in your email, they will be on tv and in your face 24-7.
Posted via Mobile Device
You know, I agree. This is crazy, people could start reporting that the POTUS wasn't even where he was supposed to be while in the Armed Forces - and gullible idiots would believe it without even checking the facts.

Ooooo, wait a minute.. that already happened with AMERICANS trying to destroy the Republic due to their own grandiose schemes.

Free Speech should be for ALL people of the US, not just the media.

HerculesRockefell

01-24-2010, 01:50 PM

The SC decision actually is another lucky sequence of events in Obama's first year.

With his agenda in shambles this is something, anything, he can point to as an item he can try to get people to rally behind him on. Pointing a finger at the big ole boogy man rich corporate bad guy usually plays well with his base.

im more worried about the influence from other nations in our politics. saudi arabia, iran, china, russia, venezuala, could all put politcal ads on our airwaves and never even mention in those ads who and were the money is coming from to pay for it. is that not a little disturbing to any of you?

Al Gore thinks that this would be terrible.

"Bob" Dobbs

01-24-2010, 03:35 PM

It has been a VERY strongly enforced FCC rule for quite some time that, if it isn't painfully obvious, ALL commercials must say who actually PAID for them. Because of that, I'm not too worried about not knowing who's spending the $$.